Yes, I know,
Zombie Thread Alert.
However, I had someone ask me about a W-series dread, & this is like the ONLY authoritative thread I could find on the subject, so I figured it deserves a little resurrecting.
Specifically, let me transcribe the ad copy to get rid of the little squinty letters. IMNSHO, they really don't stand out as particularly thrilling instruments, but that's partly the fault of the copywriter, who really didn't have much to work with.
Therefore, I am grafting on the "missing" page for the W-500 & W-600.
The W-280 Dreadnought
Handcrafted of select fine grain woods, the W-280 Dreadnought boasts a solid spruce top and hand-shaped and fitted spruce bracing to enhance the tone qualities of this fine instrument. With sides and back of mahogany, precision cast tuning machines and an adjustable neck, the W-280 also features carefully inlaid wood marquetry around the soundhole and edges. With traditional craftsmanship, the W-280 Dreadnought has been designed to provide powerful tone for the serious musician. Beautifully assembled and finished, the W-280 is the equal of instruments priced many times higher.
The W-300 Dreadnought
Another handcrafted example of Washburn skills, The W-300 features a solid spruce top of choice, fine grain wood and a three-piece rosewood back with hand-fitted wood marquetry. Sides are also of rosewood as is the fingerboard on the adjustable steel truss rod neck. A slightly lighter tone than the W-280 Dreadnought, the W-300 is suitable for both the professional guitar player and the serious amateur.
The W-250 Dreadnought
The W-250 Dreadnought features sides and back of select rosewood, with a top of polished laminated spruce. The adjustable steel truss rod neck is of mahogany with rosewood fingerboard and nickel-silver frets. Precision cast, fully sealed tuning machines provide exact tension and positive tune. All inlay and marquetry is of pearl. Designed to compete against guitars many times its price, the W-250 Dreadnought combines easy playing with excellent tone.
The W-260 Dreadnought
New for 1974, the W-260 Dreadnought boasts a number of quality features combined with Washburn craftsmanship. The top is of solid spruce and all spruce bracing within the instrument is hand-shaped and fitted. The sides, back and neck of the W-260 are of mahogany; the fingerboard is rosewood. Precision cast and sealed tuning machines provide positive tension, and all inlay and marquetry is celluloid. Like all Washburns, the W-260 Dreadnought has an adjustable steel truss rod neck. For superior tonal qualities and a professional feel, the W-260 is the choice of many serious musicians.
The W-240-12 Dreadnought
Washburn'smost popular twelve string guitar is the W-240-12, with sides and back of Bubinga mahogany and a top of laminated spruce. This Washburn has become a favorite for musicians looking for quality and value in a twelve string Dreadnought. The mahogany neck has a rosewood fingerboard with nickel-silver frets and celluloid position marks. Exact tuning is sttandard, using the new Washburn precision cast tuning machines with sealed lubrication. The neck is adjustable, with a steel truss rod, and qualityos pure Washburn throughout.
The W-300-12 Dreadnought
This handcrafted twelve string Washburn features mahogany sides and back and a solid spruce top of fine grain wood. All interior bracing is of hand selected, shaped and fitted spruce to provide excellent tone and rich response. The W-300-12 features a mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, and tuning machines with precision cast sealed-gear units for exact tension. This Washburn has considerable wood inlay and marquetry around the soundhole and edges. A delight to the eye and the ear, this is the top of the line of the Washburn twelve string models.
The W-200 Folk
The W-200 Folk Guitar provides the beginning guitar player with an instrument that combines high quality craftsmanship and tone with a professional feel. The sides and back are of select Bubinga mahogany, while the polished top is of laminated spruce. The neck is crafted of solid mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard and nickel-silver frets. Washburn tuning machines are made of precision cast machine heads, completely sealed with lubricant to provide positive tuning. Celluloid position marks and inlay accent the W-200. Other Washburn features include an adjustable neck with steel truss rod.
The W-220 Dreadnought
The W-200 Dreadnought is Washburn's most popular guitar, and features a top of laminated spruce with sides and back of Bubinga mahogany. Precision cast machine heads are standard for exact tension and positive tuning. The solid mahogany neck -- adjustable, as are necks on all models -- features a rosewood fingerboard with celluloid position marks and nickel-silver frets. Solid value and excellent tonal characteristics make this Dreadnought a first class instrument.
The W-500 Dreadnought
Ah. Those wonderful Washburns! The W-500 is a superb musical instrument and the equal of the most discerning musicians. Completely handmade and assembled by Washburn craftsmen, the W-500 features all solid woods, The sides and back are of solid mahogany and the top is finest grade solid Canadian spruce. All interior bracing is also of Canadian spruce, with each component hand-carved, sanded, finished and fit to match the exciting tone characteristics of this superior guitar. Extensive inlay and marquestry in pearl around the soundhole and edging add to the luster of this instrument. The neck is fully adjustable with a steel truss rod. Precision cast and sealed tuning machines with positive action for exact tension are standard. The W-500 is designed to compete with top of the line guitars of all makes, yet the craftsmanship and quality is so apparent that there is no competitionfor the W-500
The W-600 Dreadnought
The W-600, like the W-500, is new from Washburn for 1974. Essentially the same as the W-500, this Dreadnought features sides and back of select grade solid rosewood for an even richer tone. Totally handmade with elaborate inlay and marquetry, the W-600 is the guitar player's guitar ... the top of the Washburn line and a superb musical instrument worthy of your talents.
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One question: does anyone know when these Washburns first sold? The blurb for the 260 suggests it was actually before 1974.
